September Roster Expansion

When it comes to baseball, the month of September may be the stretch drive in the race for the playoffs, but it's also significant in it's special roster rules.  As you probably know, MLB clubs are allowed to expand their active roster to include as much of their 40-man as they would like to include, as a way of reinforcing a tired club, an opportunity to look at prospects, or acquiring complimentary pieces, et al.  As such, the benches and bullpens quickly become bloated during the first month of fall, as teams  would be foolish not to take advantage of this quirk. 

However, the rosters of Major League Baseball aren't the only rosters being reinforced this September; st least. not on Chris Sutherland's (from The Collector) watch! 

"The Pedestrian Writer" contacted me about a week ago to let me know that he could help me out with my various roster collections and, just days later, a thick, bubble mailer showed up in my mail.  Seriously, the thing barely fit in my apartment complex's mailbox - the mass may have done some damage to the mail-carrier's shoulder.  No matter what, it definitely did some damage on my want-lists, though... and in various sports, too!

Since it's football season, let's start with the gridiron:

The Bears might be unbearable (see what I did there?) to watch again this season, but these former Bears were quite the happy sight for me; they may not be in the proper blue and orange uniform, but all needed representation in my Bears All-Time Roster Collection.  Jonathan Quinn and Danny Wuerffel illustrate just how historically "wonderful" the "Monsters of the Midway" have been at the quarterback position and Marion Barber is most remembered in Bears history for two critical miscues in a game against Denver in 2011 that essentially cost the team a playoff berth.  On the other hand, Blake Brockermeyer had a decent, unheralded, three-year stint as an offensive tackle for the team...

...so, it's not all bad!

Although, this pun is gloriously bad. The worse the pun, the better it is!

Vinny Sutherland played in exactly one game for the Bears and it came during the 2002 season.  Against the Lions, he returned 3 kickoffs for an average of 16.3 yards a return - he was released a few days later.  However, at least he stuck around the Bears long enough for Chris to be able to send me his card and make that joke!

Lastly, while he wasn't totally new to my binder, a jersey upgrade of Glyn Milburn was also included in the stash.  As nice as those old school Broncos uniforms are, I prefer my orange and blue every time. 

That about did it for the Bears roster portion of Chris' exceptionally generous trade package; but, we're far from through with this yellow, padded mailer.  It's time to turn the thermostat way down and take a shift over on the ice rink.  Hockey season is just around the corner and Mr. Sutherland decided to commemorate the occasion by assaulting my Blackhawks want-list, as well.

I'm not being hyperbolic when I use the term "assault" either:

 

For those keeping score at home, that's nine new additions to my Blackhawks All-Time Roster Collection binder, including one of the few players from the current dynastic period which have eluded my grasp (Jeremy Morin), some beautiful, vintage O-Pee-Chee (Wayne Van Dorp), and a sweet, gold-bordered parallel (James Wisniewski).  See - this assault is coming on stronger than a Daniel Carcillo check into the boards!

...and yet, it's not quite done:

Another pair of jersey upgrades close out the hockey portion of the trade package. 

Gerald Diduck might technically be listed as a Hartford Whaler on the 95-96 Leaf single that Chris forwarded my way, but, with all that's 90's holofoil and tiny text, the photograph dominates that pasteboard.  And what uniform is Gerald wearing in the photo?  Thus, it's a Blackhawks card, to me.  Meanwhile, I can't help but get a kick out of the fact that Phil Russell is depicted in almost the exact same position at the exact same angle, in photographs that were taken about a decade apart.  Plus, that 02-03 Fleer Throwbacks single is gloriously simple and slick.

That pretty much covers the hockey portion of the mailer.  As you can see, Chris' trade offering is already hard to top and speaking of hard... there was still a hardwood section yet to be seen.

For good measure, Chris tossed in some basketball cards, of which Charles Oakley was needed for my Bulls All-Time Roster Collection.  He may be a New York Knickerbocker here, but 90-91 Skybox is such a fun and iconic set that I'm not at all bothered by that fact.

Now if all that you've seen in the post above wasn't enough, Chris further continued his assault on my trading card stocks by graciously including a hefty stack of Cubs cards which had gone unclaimed in his 50/50 giveaway a few weeks ago.  Is this guy not a gem or what?

In that stack, there were...

...90's gems...

...recent needs...

... a significant pre-rookie...

...a couple more pre-rooks, featuring Jonathan's brother and a potential future addition to my Cubs All-Time Roster Collection...

...and minis!  Normally, I honestly don't care much for mini-cards, as they play too many games with my near-obsessive compulsive storage and organization of my card collection.  However, as a counterbalance, I absolutely adore oddballs and this shiny Panini sticker is an eye-catching one.  Furthermore, the Starlin Castro on the left is the first time I've seen one of these 2011 Topps Kimball Champion minis in real life and they are gorgeous.  If a tobacco card and a piece of fine art could have a baby, it would look like these Kimballs.

With that, we've finally reached the end of Chris' seemingly bottomless bubble mailer of goodies.  All told, his exquisite trade package netted me 5 new Bears (plus a jersey upgrade), 9 new Blackhawks (plus two jersey upgrades), and 1 new Bull for my various roster collections, not to mention a bunch of fun, new Cubs cards.  How's that for September roster expansion?!

Thank you Chris - this package was easily the highlight of my week and I'll make sure to get an equally generous return package in the mail, ASAP, stuffed with Red Sox and Devils (my Packers stocks have been completely depleted, though).  Also, I'll be sure to keep an eye out for anything featuring former Bears OL Todd Burger.

September roster expansion - it ain't just for the Big Leagues!

Getting High Off the Sweep

The Cubs may have wet the bed in the key series against the Brewers two weekends ago; but, since that dud of a three-game set, the Northsiders have absolutely been on fire.  They have come home victorious in the last six straight, including a total beat-down of the Mets and a sweep of the Cardinals that may very well have finally slayed the beast.  The Redbirds have been taken to the mat several times this year; however, like Rocky Balboa, they just kept getting back up.  That said, after this weekend's sweep, the Cards sit six games back with only 13 games left to play.  One step closer to bringing home another NL Central crown!

In the midst of my excitement over the sweep, I decided to celebrate by opening some of the latest baseball product to hit the shelves - Heritage High Numbers, which is to Heritage as Update is to Flagship.  I mean, I was already in Target anyway, as the Cubbies were wrapping up their victory on Sunday, and there are a small handful of cards in the set which I need; so, why not?

Plus, I'm not going to lie, the hanger box packaging kind of drew me in, as well:

I don't normally spring for anything more than a loose pack or two (maybe a jumbo pack if I'm feeling feisty), but how could I turn down that majestic home run cut by Kris Bryant?  You got me here, Topps.

Plus, like I said, there are several cards from this set that I would like to add to my collection - a rarity, these days, when it comes to modern product and my ultra-niche collecting habit.  High Numbers features the first and only card of the failed experiment known as Brett Anderson in a Cubs uniform.  Of course, this is just a week after I blogged about how he'd never get such a card - thanks for making me look silly on the internet, Topps!  Furthermore, the checklist also includes Mike Montgomery's first mainstream Cubs card (he has a Topps Now entry, I believe), Pierce Johnson's first, true Major League card and a couple of other interesting singles.  Thus, I figured that a 35-card hanger box would likely contain AT LEAST one card I needed.  Trigger = pulled.

So, I know you're wondering how I did with my little celebratory gift to myself - was the box befitting of such a glorious situation?

Well, maybe not quite; but, I'd say I walked away as a satisfied customer.

As you can see above, I pulled the recently DFA'ed Johnson's rookie card from the 35-card cello-pack contained within.  As of today, Mr. Johnson stands as a one-game wonder for the Cubbies, making his lone appearance on May 19th.  Will this be his only Major League card with the Cubs (maybe at all)?  I suppose we'll find out soon enough. Anyway, when it comes to my CATRC binder, I definitely prefer Major League products over Bowman, when applicable; thus, this HHN single will slide in to represent "Flow Bro" and his glorious mane.

Accompanying Pierce was my first un-Photoshopped card of Koji Uehara in a Cubs uniform.  Previously, Koji has appeared in the Topps Factory Team Set sporting Northside duds, as you can see above, indicative that he will likely show up in the Update checklist, as well.  Regardless, this High Numbers single marks his first non-digitally altered appearance in the best looking uniform in MaJor League Baseball and I also prefer my cards as authentic to reality as possible.  Thus, like the Johnson card before, this too will be sliding into my CATRC, replacing this Factory Set single that previously resided in his pocket.

That wasn't all for the Cubs quotient in this pack either.

I don't think a Cubs card which is emblazoned with "World Series MVP" will ever get old to me; not for Ben either, look at that grin!  Plus, I almost never pull a Cubbie insert from pack purchases, so this was a welcome sight in my stack.  The Award Winners are a pretty basic insert set, design-wise, which is appropriate for a product which is attempting to mimic 1968.  I bet this insert template would look even better with a Royals card though; doesn't that crown/shield thing in the middle look an awful lot like the KC logo?

That did it for "traditional" Cubs cards in the hanger box - three Cubs out of 35 actually isn't too terrible and one of them was one of my stated targets.  I'll take that.  Meanwhile, the fun wasn't complete over yet; as for non-traditional Cubs cards:

Here we have a pair of Cubs of a Different Color - Andrew Cashner and Dan Straily.  As I've mentioned on the blog before, I collect all cards of guys who've played for the Cubs, even if it depicts them with a different team.  I collect a bunch of these in a binder I call "Cubs of Different Color" (Wizard of Oz nod).  Into that binder Cashner, aka the man who was traded for the great and powerful Anthony Rizzo, and his Texas Rangers getup will go.

However, the man who colorman, Jim DeSaheis, refers to as "Straily Dan," (♫...are you reeling in the years?..♫) shall not be joining Cash in that three-ring binder.  Instead, he'll be inserted into my main Cubs All-Time Roster Collection.  Why, you ask?  Well, this is the first post-Cubs card of Dan that I've acquired and since the back makes note of his Cubs tenure (as inglorious as that might have been) it gets first dibs at that slot.  Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), Straily's time at Wrigley was quite brief and he never did receive a properly blue card.

Bonus Cubs tie-in: former Cub Juan Pierre appears in the trivia question

With that, there are no more Cubs connections to be had in my euphoric box of Heritage High Numbers; that being acknowledged, there were still a few interesting cards, worthy of being shown off on the ol' blog;

As far as gimmicks go, I didn't end up pulling any of the error, color-swap, gum-stains, action, or whatever other variations are part of the goofiness; but, I did end up with one of the short prints (which are saddled with 1:3 pack odds) in the form of Dallas Kuechel.  All I can say is that I'm ecstatic that none of the SP's are Cubs!

Additionally, the only other "special card" that I drew was the Rookie Performers insert of Christian Arroyo, on the right.  Ironically, the Giants top prospect hasn't really performed all that well for the cellar-dwellers, posting an anemic .192/.244/.304 slash in 135 PA's.  Still, I'm digging the groovy, sixties background on this set.  Far out, man.

I also pulled this bad boy - can I retire now?  I'm honestly amazed that Cody wasn't one of the short prints, this year.

Here's another rookie that caught my attention and who's story I've been following this year.  For those who haven't heard, when Gift Ngoepe was called up for the first time, earlier this season, the South African native became the first African-born player in MLB history.  Signed by the Pirates in 2008, Gift's arrival was certainly anything but what his name might indicate - he had to slowly claw his way up the chain.  I don't know about you, but I can't help but find myself rooting for such a trailblazer... even if he plays for a divisional rival!

Here's a couple of images which caught my eye.  On the left is a gigantic Seth Lugo, among the clouds, which is where the Cubs launched a few of a his pitches in their most recent series against the Metropolitans.  On the right, we have a clearly constipated Jered Weaver, who just recently announced his retirement from Major League Baseball.  Seriously though, get that man some Ex-Lax, stat!

And there we have it - the contents of my impulse and jubilation-fueled Heritage High Numbers hanger box purchase.  All in all, I ended up with three Cubs cards (two of which were binder worthy and the other of which was a cool insert) two Cubs of a Different Color, and a handful of other interesting cards which will make for great trade fodder.  It's not the best box that I've ever busted, but it sure did make for a great way to wrap up a great weekend.  That said, if anyone has pulled extras of the Brett Anderson or Mike Montgomery card, I know an interested trading partner!

Meanwhile, the Cubs head to Tampa Bay for a three-game set with the Rays before a four-game tilt with their other divisional foe, the Brewers.  Here's hoping the Boys of Maddon can wallop on their manager's former club and then bash Brew Crew's playoff hopes.

Fingers crossed that, come the end of next weekend, I'll want to celebrate with some new cards again!

Tseng Spotting

Wednesday was a pretty damn good day for Cubs pitching prospect, Jen-Ho Tseng.  First of all, the 22-year old right-hander's parent club blasted the Mets for a much-needed victory in the ever-tightening NL Central race.  Second of all, the 13th-ranked prospect in the North Siders' chain was in Chicago to accept his award as the Minor League Pitcher of the Year, after breaking out with a 13-4 record with a 2.54 ERA and 7.6 SO/9 across the AA and AAA levels.  Third of all, later on in the evening, it was announced that the Taiwanese hurler would be making his Major League debut on the next day in a spot start.  All in all, I'd say that Mr. Tseng had himself a pretty good day.

 However, the Thursday spot start didn't go quite as well for Jen-Ho. 

With all of the problems plaguing the Cubs' relievers, as of late (collective 5.30 ERA in the second half), Theo and crew decided that it'd be best to slot Mike Montgomery back into the bullpen - he had been starting in the place of the injured Jake Arrieta.  Seeing as Justin Wilson has been an absolute, dumpster fire bust, Justin Grimm has devolved into a shell of his former self, and Koji Uehara is constantly injured, MiMo (the ultimate utility pitcher) can only help solidify the struggling crew.

Many a scouting report compares Tseng to Kyle Hendricks.  Like "the Professor," Tseng doesn’t have overpowering stuff (his fastball rests in the low 90s); thus, the farmhand relies heavily on his control and his off-speed stuff and breaking.  Last night, in that surprise debut, opposing batters teed off when his cutter wasn't "cutting it."  Lasting just three innings and surrendering five runs, it all began when he walked Jose Reyes to lead off the game with a wild pitch.  "After that, I became more nervous," he admitted after the game.

Reunited and it feels so good. pic.twitter.com/3dhHRLhwbU

— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) September 14, 2017

Trying to mitigate those butterflies, the Cubs also started September call-up, "Staring" Taylor Davis, behind the dish.  The two had been a battery in Iowa for most of the season and you know how the pitcher-catcher relationship can affect a game.  Again, I understand the logic here, but is treating a crucial, late-season game like Spring Training really a good idea?  The guffaws were deafening when Davis dropped a perfect throw in a play at the plate, which put the team down 3-0 early.  Everything was shaping up to be a terrible night on the North Side.

No offense to their fans, but all I can say is thank goodness they were playing the injury-decimated Mets.  The Cubs offense would bail out the nervous-nelly as they clobbered the Metropolitans for the third straight night, 14-6.  Tseng, the youngest pitcher to take the mound for the Cubs since Sergio Mitre back in 2003, is still a raw commodity.

Despite the happy ending, this move had the potential to really foul up the Cubs' playoff chase.  Had the Cubs not overcame that early deficit, the Cardinals would be within two heading into this weekend's big series between the two clubs.  I see the logic behind the move, but was the risk worth the reward?   Besides that, no one expected the Cubs to baptize one of their top prospects by fire, thrusting them into the middle of a tight pennant race.  For an organization which so values proper development, it's truly not their modus operandi.  Though, it should be noted that Jen-Ho, signed after his performance in the 2013 WBC, needed to be added to the 40-man this off-season or risk being lost in the Rule 5 Draft (spoiler alert he would have been).

Anyway, to make room for the first Taiwanese pitcher in Cubs history, someone had to be kicked off of the 40-man roster.  That someone turned out to be another (once) highly touted pitching prospect:  Pierce Johnson.

Pierce, the first arm ever selected from the draft during the Theo Epstein era (2012 first round, 43rd overall), was once considered a future top of the rotation starter.  Unfortunately, as he climbed the ladder, injuries piled up and his control evaporated.  After a move to the bullpen seemed to stabilize things, Johnson did eventually make his Major League debut, earlier this summer.  Still just 26 and constantly racking up high K totals in the high minors (12.3 per 9, this year), I find it highly improbable that Johnson "pierces" through the waiver-wire unclaimed, especially considering that he still has an option year left.  Good luck to you, wherever you end up, "Flow Bro!"

As a quick side-note, with Pierce's likely departure from the franchise, the 2017 Cubs will have had three "one and done"-type players during the 2017 season; by that, I mean men who's Cubs career lasted all of one game.  Johnson struck out two in his only inning of MLB work against the Brewers on May 19th.  Meanwhile, Seth Frankoff twirled two frames against Colorado on June 9th and Jack Leathersich walked everyone in a disastrous partial inning against the Brew Crew on July 6th.

I don't know about you, but three "one and dones" in a single season seems like a lot to me.  On that note, I did center a whole post around guys who cameoed in one game for the "Lovable Losers," a couple of years back -  it's a niche topic that's always piqued my interest.  In the process of drafting this post, thanks to Baseball Reference, I've discovered that the last time this happened in franchise history was during the 1970 season.  That year, Roe Skidmore, Roger Metzger, and Jim Cosman all played Cub for a day.  Therefore, I guess my instinct was correct - it's not exactly a common occurrence.

Additionally, if Jen-Ho were to never make another appearance for the club, there hasn't been for or more since way back in 1912.  But, I think it's safe to say the youngin' will be back, at some point.

In the meantime, I'm just glad that Night Owl traded me this awesome, yellow parallel of Jen-Ho Tseng's 2015 Bowman card last spring, so that I have a nice card to add to my Cubs All-Time Roster Collection to represent the newest Cub.

All reports indicated that this spot start was a one-time thing, as far as 2017 goes.  That said, the door was left open for him to stick around in the bullpen, should he sufficiently impress in his first assignment.  I do not think that came to pass.  Furthermore, there's a Jake Arrieta and John Lackey shaped pair of holes in the rotation for next season, so this may have been an audition for 2018, as well.  Here's hoping that Seng delivers on all of his prospective promise; however, for now, the focus has to shift back to making it back to the playoffs, rather than developing young arms.